Last time we left off i had started to reshape all the teeth on this 20” 10 ppi Disston rip saw. Well, i made it through the reshaping and after vaguely 1500 strokes of the file it was looking much better than before. I ained for zero fleam, zero slope and 8 degrees of rake.

After the initial reshaping the process required setting the teeth, lightly jointing, and then the final sharpening. Being a finer toothed rip saw i gave it very little set. Id tell ya how much but i dont have a micrometer. Basically i went along, following whatever set it had originally and trued every other tooth up, flipped it around, and hit the teeth i skipped over.

Happy with the set i moved on to, once again, jointing the teeth, but not before i ran a small diamond plate along the outside of the newly set teeth. This time i jointed them as light as possible. Just enough to create little shiners on every tooth. I cant stress enough how important making these shiners are. They allow you the ability to create a straight and even tooth line and they also let you know exactly when to stop filing. You stop filing the moment that shiner disappears.

All thats left from here is making your final pass with the file to sharpen the teeth. Like i said above you just want to make those shiners disappear, no more, no less. Some teeth may take 2 strokes, some 6 or 7. Nice light passes. Here’s the final look at the teeth.

Edit – Video added

-- "there aren’t many hand tools as awe-inspiring as the #8 jointer. I mean, it just reeks of cast iron heft and hubris" - Smitty

I’ve been collecting triangular files wherever I see them, used and new. When I can finally find the time to sit down at my saw vise, I’ll see what I can do. I’ve got 18 saws in queue for sharping. Oh, yes, a vintage saw jointer is on its way, too. You’ve inspired me!

-- Einstein: "The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." I'm Poopiekat!!

PK – im glad i could be of inspriation just make sure you’re getting the right taper to the files. Triangular files can be mistaken for tapered saw files. Also, do yourself a favor and watch Andy’s video. Its worth a couple of watches for sure.

Ill be sure to keep all posted and up to date on the next saw sharpening session. Hopefully very soon. Ive still got to tackle cross cut saws. In due time though. Ive got the confidence now!

-- "there aren’t many hand tools as awe-inspiring as the #8 jointer. I mean, it just reeks of cast iron heft and hubris" - Smitty